A Goal Is A DreamWith A Deadline

There is nothing more convenient than whipping out your phone, typing in a URL (or opening an app), perusing offerings, and hitting a few buttons to buy something…anything…everything. We even get our groceries that way these days. But as convenient as online shopping seems, there are several reasons to shop local. In person is the way to go this Small Business Season. If you can suspend disbelief for a few minutes, we’ll explain why. Our

Today, OR-OSHA adopted temporary rules to protect workers from excessive heat - these rules are effective immediately. The rules apply to all industries and are triggered by a heat index of 80 degrees. Additional protections are triggered at 90 degrees. Employee training, as required by the temporary rules, must be completed by August 1.    Note that the rules aren’t specific to outdoor work, so workplaces with an outdoor component or lack of HVAC, such as open

  What’s Happening (OSCC Political Observations)   We are now entering into the final week of the 2021 legislative session. The legislature has until Sunday at 11:59pm to conclude its business.   Nearly all of the key decisions have been made and bills and budgets will be finalized and voted out of committee.  We expect to see all of the “Christmas Tree” funding, ARPA, and Capital Construction budgets by Thursday morning.   The Senate is

What’s Happening (OSCC Political Observations)   Much of the Legislature’s focus over the last week was centered around Mike Nearman and whether to expel him from the Legislature over letting protesters into the Capitol in December 2020. On Monday, House Speaker Tina Kotek introduced a measure that would formally expel him from the House of Representatives. By Thursday evening, the House voted 59-1 (with Mike Nearman casting the no vote) to do just that. His

What’s Happening (OSCC Political Observations)   The final month of this year’s session is finally here. Lawmakers are Constitutionally required to adjourn by June 27, and indications are that the Legislature will be in session up until that final weekend. While it is possible the Senate could adjourn earlier, House Speaker Tina Kotek told reporters last week that she expects the House will be working through the final weekend.   With the end of the session

What’s Happening (OSCC Political Observations)   We now have roughly five weeks left in the 2021 legislative session. The big news this past week was the release of the “End of Session” revenue forecast. The key takeaway is that there is no evidence that state budgets have been significantly impacted by the pandemic and economic shutdown. The avalanche of federal spending effectively propped up the state economy and flooded the state with revenues.   With state revenues up

Some significant issues that need to be brought to your attention today.   1. The State Revenue Forecast was jaw-droppingly positive for the state. There was literally no evidence that the state even went through a pandemic or economic shutdown. Yesterday’s forecast is the official forecast on which final budgeting decisions are made.  General Fund revenue for the current biennium (ending June 30th) is $1.087 billion higher than projected in March. This huge influx of revenue will likely transfer

What’s Happening (OSCC Political Observations)Here’s the bottom line: The 2021 legislature in no way resembles any previous session. There is nothing to compare it to. The level of activity on business-related bills is at a near trickle as committees seem content to rubber stamp bills passed by the first chamber with few amendments or surprises. This could all change, of course, but every time we expect to see an uptick in activity, it simply doesn’t materialize.   As it

What’s Happening (OSCC Political Observations)   Lawmakers returned to business as usual in the House last week following a temporary shut-down that came as a result of positive COVD-19 cases in the House.   In the Senate, the Republicans opted to require that all bills be read in their entirety prior to passage for the foreseeable future. As was the case in the House, this decision will substantially slow the pace of work in the

What’s Happening (OSCC Political Observations)   Coronavirus reared its head again at the Capitol this past week, with at least one legislator contracting the disease, forcing the Oregon House to cancel floor sessions Tuesday-Friday. Barring any new cases, the House is expected to return to the floor today.   The shutdown has not impacted the Senate, where lawmakers continued with business as usual last week. Last week also saw a natural slowdown in overall legislative